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Australian state leaders said they were considering bans on political donations Saturday in the wake of a sex and bribes scandal that has rocked politics in New South Wales.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma suggested the ban after the scandal in the beachside city of Wollongong, where a corruption watchdog has heard evidence of bribes solicited for development approvals and sexual relations between developers and a female council planner.
The council was sacked last month but Iemma said wider measures were needed to counter public perceptions that political donors could buy influence under the current system. "I believe that the time has come for the government to seriously consider, examine and analyse moving away from a donation system to a system of public funding, and that would mean a ban on political donations," he told public radio.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh welcomed the suggestion, saying it would help prevent Australian democracy from following the US path, where massive campaign donations are needed for a candidate to have a realistic chance in elections.
"Democracy does come at a price. It doesn't matter who you are, you should be able to access the political system," she said. "We cannot afford for Australia to follow the American system where only the rich can access the political process or run for office."
Victoria state Premier John Brumby was less enthusiastic, saying campaign donation laws were a matter for the national government in Canberra. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who came under fire last week for accepting free overseas trips while in opposition from a Chinese businessman, said he is in favour of revamping donation laws.
However, he did not suggest an outright ban, instead preferring to reduce the minimum donation that must be publicly declared to 1,000 dollars (920 US) from 10,000.
The Wollongong corruption inquiry was told that councillors in the city sought donations into a "slush fund" to push developments through. It also heard that the female town planner, who is accused of approving several non-conforming property developments in return for gifts including overseas holidays, perfume and handbags, admitted to having sexual relationships with three developers.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2008

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